Continuous centrifugal apparatus



Dec. 28, 1965 c. R. STEELE ETAL.

CONTINUOUS CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001;. 9, 1961 S 6 Mm T M mm? W P I R Mn 0 r 0 F I Y C B ATTORNEYS 28, 1965 c. R. STEELE ETAL 3,

CONTINUOUS CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 9. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ti JA INVENTORS. Clarence R. Steele Frank 5. Price ATTORNEYS Dec. 28, 1965 c. R. STEELE ETAL CONTINUOUS CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS Filed 001?. 9, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 29 29c ELI 28B I a f u I! I: I. g 0 4 I; XXX 26A a U 27 r 26 27 4 w ,3

INVENTORS Clarence R. Sfee/e Y Frank 5. Price ATTORNEYS Dec. 28, 1965 c. R. STEELE ETAL CONTINUOUS CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F iled Oct. 9, 1961 INVENTORS. Clarence BR. Sfee/e Price Frank ATTORNEYS United States Patcnt Office 3,226,257 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 CONTINUOUS CENTRIFUGAL APlARATUS Clarence R. Steele and Frank B. Price, Denver, Colo,

assignors, by mesne assignments, to American Factors Associates, Limited, Honolulu, Hawaii, a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 143,892 14 Claims. (Cl. 127-49) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for continuous centrifugal treatment of massecuite and similar solutions. Massecuite is defined as a dense mass of sugar crystals mixed with mother liquor and usually obtained by evaporation.

It is conventional to subject massecuite to separations in which the, sugar crystals are recovered as a substantially dry product and the mother liquor, or molasses, is separately collected as a secondary product. One such treatment has been batch-centrifuging. Another treatment has entailed the use of continuous centrifugals, as they are termed in the art. Recent development work in the sugar industry on continuous centrifugals has been directed to overcoming the tendency of sugar crystals to fracture and break during initial introduction thereof to the machines. This occurs during the time interval required by the massecuite to attain the speed of the centrifugal basket. Until speed is attained excessive Wear on the basket results.

One solution of the problem has been provided by continuous centrifugals which operate according to the thin layer principle; and in which massecuite feed material enters a first stage in which it is brought up to the speed of a centrifuge basket before passing to its screening area and thereafter moves as a thin layer or film across the screening surfaces of the basket in the actual centrifugal separation.

It is an object of our invention to provide a simple, efficient and economical method for centrifuging massecuite and similar solutions which eliminates excessive wear on the equipment used in practicing the process and which avoids crystal reduction in its liquids-solids separation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable and efficient continuous centrifuging apparatus which is adapted for long periods of operation without service or maintenance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, economical and efficient separation of solution in different concentrations after such solutions are separated from crystals with which they have been associated.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting structure for the basket of a continuous centrifugal apparatus.

Other objects reside in novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts.

In a typical installation for the practice of our invention a continuous centrifugal apparatus will include spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber therebetween for collection of separated sugar crystals. An externally driven stub shaft mounted in sealed bearings beneath the inner housing carries a generally frustoconical basket adapted for high speed rotation therein. The apparatus has an inlet for solution or massecuite to be treated which extends into the centrifuge basket for introduction of feed into its lower portion. A suitable outlet for removal of separated mother liquor is located within the inner housing at a level lower than the cen trifuge basket. A conductive passage or compartment extends from the top of the centrifuge basket to the sugar chamber between the inner and outer housings for collection and removal of the separated sugar or other crystals.

A novel partitioning arrangement including a plurality of spaced bafiles is mounted within the inner housing adjacent the upper periphery of the centrifuge basket. In one embodiment, successive series of similar bafiles are provided on the interior of the inner housing below the first series of baffies. These bafiles cooperate to provide a generally helical flow path for mother liquor passing through the centrifuge basket to assure its downward passage to discharge, and to prevent its fogging by the pumping effect of the rotation with consequent contamination of separated sugar crystals. In one embodiment an adjustable mounting is provided in the partitioning arrangement to permit a selective cut in the mother liquor discharging from the centrifuge screen.

A novel screening member is provided to reduce maintenance costs and to improve separation. The screen of this assembly is fixed or secured only at its upper and lower ends and is a two-ply type, and the respective screen sections are free to move relative to each other between said ends. An improved separation of sugar crystals from mother liquor is obtained by this arrangement. The outer screen section of the basket is a relatively large mesh size of substantial strength and provides support for a fine mesh inner screen section over substantially its entire surface.

The practice of this invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, in the several views of which like parts bear similar reference numerals:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through one form of continuous centrifugal apparatus having means for segregation and discharge of separate portions of molasses or other residual solutions;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the centrifugal apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a battle arrangement located adjacent the upper periphery of the basket of the centrifugal apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary developed front elevation of the baffle assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of the basket supporting structure of a continuous centrifugal such as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragment of the multiple centrifuge basket screen of FIG. 4 drawn to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section of another embodiment of a continuous centrifugal according to the concepts of this invention.

The continuous centrifugal shown in FIG. 1 includes an inner housing 11 and an outer housing 12 defining a collection chamber 13 therebetween for segregating and discharging sugar crystals.

A flange 14 extending from the upper periphery of outer housing 12 is adapted to carry a removable annular cover section 15. The inner peripheral surface of annular cover section 15 secures a sleeve or collar 16. A grate assembly 17 extends across the sleeve 16 and has a central opening through which a feed conduit 18 is suspended. The lower portion 19 of conduit 18 is tapered and arranged for discharge of massecuite into a bottom accelerator bowl 20 attached by a capscrew 21 to a socket member or recessed upper end portion 22A of a stub shaft 22. The socket member is suitably connected with a flanged annulus 24 containing a support ring 23 which provides the lower support and connection for the screen assembly of the centrifugal basket 28.

A plurality of upwardly diverging bars or ribs 26 support a circumferential grid assembly 27A (FIG. 4) and form a skeletal screen support confined within the centrifuge screen or basket 28. The upper peripheral end of centrifuge basket 28 is fixed within another flange assembly 29 which includes an upper flanged portion 30 and a lower flanged portion 31 which define a space therebetween in which the inwardly extending flange of a sleeve 4-6 and an inwardly extending flange on housing 11 are disposed to form a substantially sealed chamber in which the upward flow of vapors or mists is arrested and from which condensed liquids may flow by gravity. An adjustable partition assembly 33 encloses a major portion of the basket 28 and includes an upper inner wall 34 and an outer wall 35 enclosing a lower partition member 36 in telescoping relation. Member 36 is secured to and supported by a bottom plate 37 in fluid-tight relation and this partitioning assembly defines a green syrup collection chamber 40. A base 41 supported by housing 11 provides the support for bottom plate 37 and defines therewith a wash syrup chamber 42. Green syrup chamber 40 has a peripheral outlet 43 for discharge of green syrup from the apparatus. A wash syrup outlet 44 conducts the discharge of wash syrup from chamber 42.

The wall 35 is connected to tubular housing members 50 at 120 intervals. The housing protects a screw mechanism for adjusting the partitioning member. The adjustment mechanism includes a screw assembly 51 which has an upper threaded end in association with an internally threaded block 53. The bottom of screw assembly 51 includes a gear 54 driven by an endless chain 55. Another turn of chain 55 encompasses a gear 56 on the bot tom of a shaft assembly 57. A second gear 58 carried on shaft assembly 57 is driven by an endless chain 59, which passes from gear 58 about another gear 60 which is mounted at the bottom of hand wheel shaft 61. A hand wheel 62 is mounted at the upper end of hand wheel shaft 61 and manipulation of hand wheel 62 through the associated gears and chain drives moves screw assembly 51 to provide ascending or descending movement of partition assembly 33.

This regulation makes it possible to take various cuts in the mother liquor penetrating centrifuge basket 28 during operation of the centrifugal. The aforesaid arrangement permits a selective positioning of the partitioning members whereby one grade of syrup or solution is directed by the upper portion of outer wall 35 into the passage formed by its association with sleeve 46 to descend into wash syrup chamber 42 from which it discharges through outlet 44, while another portion of the solution penetrating basket 28 is diverted by the partition assembly 33 into chamber 40 to discharge through outlet 43.

Accelerator bowl 20 and associated parts are mounted on stub shaft 22 for rotation therewith. The drive assembly includes a supporting member 70 enclosed by a conical housing 73 and a multiple sheave 71 driven by V-belts 72 connected with a suitable power supply (not shown) which rotates shaft 22. A flexible seal 74 closes the bottom of housing 73 from the area therebelow within which the various drive elements, such as the V-belts, sheave and drive chains are located.

Separated sugar crystals overflowing the upper peripheral edge of basket 28 may be subjected to a thin juice spray introduced through spray orifices 76 from where they fall by gravity into the sugar collection chamber 13 and thence to a sugar outlet 80. A steam spray 81 and a water spray 82 are arranged in spaced but proximate relation to the inner surface of basket 28 for cleaning and may be used for controlling the consistency of material passing the basket so as to improve separation. Steam or water inlets 85A and 85B are provided for washing of the respective syrup collection chambers, and a plurality of sugar sample openings 85 provide access to the respective chambers.

As shown in FIG. 2, a lubricating fluid pump 87 is supported on a bracket 88 on an exterior surface of outer housing 12. This pump circulates lubricating fluid into the stub shaft bearings through a conduit 83 and the fluid returns to said pump through another conduit 84 shown in FIG. 1.

As part of the mist control of the centrifugal, a plurality of stationary baflles 45 are mounted on a sleeve 46 which in turn is fixedly secured on an upper internal surface of inner housing 11. Similar bafiies 32 supported at the top of wall 34 direct spray or mist downwardly in chamber 40 and prevent mist circulation toward the top of the basket. Because of the high speed rotation of basket 28, some of the syrup passing through the basket adjacent its top vaporizes and forms a mist which tends to escape in all directions of flow. The bafiles reduce or prevent vapor escape and form a pressure zone in a circuitous passage at the upper area of inner housing 11. This arrangement prevents the vapors and droplets of fluid from being thrown into the space or passage between the inner and outer housing. These baflles are located approximately 20 degrees apart and are mounted at a 30 degree angular position relative to the horizontal. In effect, they form a helical, downwardly directed conveying structure for the fluid and vaporous material flowing beneath flange 31 and the top of partitioning assembly 33.

As represented by the arrows in FIGS. 3 and 3A, vapors or mists containing solution which has passed the screen are directed downwardly and away from the sugar crystal discharge. Because of the spacing and arrangement of baffles to intercept fluid discharged from the basket as indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 3 and 3A, there is a fluid free zone enclosed by sleeve 46 in which pressure develops because of restricted outflow and assists the directing pattern of the baflles in producing an accelerated downward discharge of vapor and liquid which reduces or eliminates mixing of evolved mist and discharging sugar crystals.

The centrifuge basket or screen 28 has its upper and lower peripheral edges held by or fixed to supporting structure. This is most clearly shown in FIG. 4 wherein the lower peripheral surface area 28A of the centrifuge basket is crimped between the exterior peripheral lip 20A of accelerator bowl 20 and accelerator bowl supporting ring 23. Annulus 24 is bolted to the socket member 22A as shown at 25 and firmly holds the bowl support ring 23 adjoining lip 20A of bowl 20 to clamp the stepped or crimped portion 28A of the centrifuge basket in the space between and prevent slippage thereof under the high operating speeds to which the basket is subjected.

The top peripheral edge 28B of basket 28 is bent or flanged and held in position between flange 29C and the top rib 26A. The intermediate portion of basket 28 between its fixed ends rests on the skeletal structure formed by upwardly diverging ribs 26, circumferential grid 27A and support rings 27.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragment of the components of basket 28 and comprises an outer backup screen preferably of .025 wire forming a ten mesh screen. The inner face or ply 121 of basket 28 is a stainless steel separation screen or perforated strip of substantially smaller mesh size than backup screen 120. The mesh size of the inner screen is finer than the size of sugar crystals. By having only the end portions of basket 28 held or fixed, a slight movement is permitted between backup screen 120 and the separation screen 121 so as to avoid undesirable strain which might otherwise have damaging effects thereon.

An alternative continuous centrifugal construction is shown in FIG. 6 and includes an outer housing spaced from an inner housing 131 defining a sugar collection chamber 132 having a sugar outlet 132A at the bottom of the centrifugal. Outer casing 130 has an inwardly extending flange 133 at its top, which is adapted to support an annular, removable cover portion 134. Removable cover portion 134 in turn supports an annular cover assem ly 136 in which a downwardly extending ma se cuite inlet 137 is mounted. A steam inlet 138 and water inlet 138A are provided for discharging steam and water against the inner surfaces of the centrifugal. A thin juice inlet 139 is supported by and extends downwardly from cover portion 134.

A drive assembly 141 supported from the bottom plate or deck 140 of the inner housing 131 is of the same type as the unit 70 of FIG. 1. It includes stub shaft housing 142, an accelerator bowl 242 held in place on the stub shaft 243 by a cap screw 143. A support ring 144 is contained within a recessed bracket 145 for holding the lower peripheral rim of a frustro-conical centrifuge basket 146. Basket 146 is supported by a plurality of upwardly diverging struts or ribs 147 interconnected by a plurality of spaced rings or horizontal ribs 148. Basket 146 and accelerator bowl 242 are mounted for conjoint rotation with stub shaft 243 which is driven by a plurality of V- belts 149 on a sheave 150 connected with a suitable prime mover (not shown). A plurality of shock absorbing snubbers 151 are arranged beneath housing 142 to dampen vibration at high speeds.

This centrifuge has a lubricating fluid inlet conduit 152 and lubricating fluid outlet conduit 153 interconnected with its spindle bearing assemblies and a constant circulating system. A sample access port 154 and steam inlet 155 similar to those in the arrangement of FIG. 1 also are included. A plurality of hand hole covers 156 permit inspection and access through openings in the top of outer casing 130.

An upper seal flange assembly 160, similar to assembly 29 of FIG. 1, is provided adjacent the top of basket 146, including an upper flange 161 and lower flange 162 defining a space therebetween into which an inwardly extending lip 163 of inner casing 131 and inward extending lip 164 of a sleeve 165, carrying a plurality of baffles 166, are directed. Batfles 166 and their support sleeve 165 are substantially identical in construction and functioning to sleeve 46 and baffles 45 described with reference to FIG. 3. A downwardly inclined flange 163A extends from the inner edge of lip 163 to assist in deflecting fluid and vapor downwardly into chamber 181.

Two additional series of baifles are disposed on the inner surface of the inner housing 131 below baflies 166 to intercept and direct the solution discharged from the screen downwardly and induce a flow away from the top. These include an outer series of baflles 170 carried on the upwardly converging member 171 of conical or dome-like shape, and a second series of baflles 172 disposed interiorly of series 170 on another upwardly converging support member 173. Preferably, all of the battles of series 170 and 172 are mounted at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis and comprising four in each series at 90 degree intervals. These latter baflles act in cooperation with the upper series of baflles to overcome the problems of fog or vaporization which occur at the upper peripheral discharge of the centrifuge basket 146 during the high speed operations thereof and cause entrainment and downward deflection of such fog and syrup. Syrup is collected in a chamber 181 at the bottom of housing 131 and discharges through a syrup outlet 180.

Changes and modifications in the combination, arrangement and functioning of parts may be availed of within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

We claim.

1. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising adjustable partitioning means within the inner housing, said partitioning means including a lower portion dividing the inner housing and an upper portion with inner and outer Walls telescoping over said lower portion, said walls terminating together at their upper ends in close proximity to the exterior surface of the centrifugal basket to make a selective cut in the separated liquids discharging through the basket, conduit means at each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus, and means exteriorly of the outer housing for adjusting the upper portion of the partitioning means and thereby change said selective cut.

2. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising partitioning means within the inner housing constructed and arranged to make a selective cut in the separated liquids discharging through the basket, outlet means at each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus, and means supported from the upper end of the basket extending in underlying and overlying relationship with an upper portion of the inner housing for preventing moist material which collects in the inner housing from ascending into the peripheral discharge passage.

3. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising partitioning means within the inner housing including a stationary portion dividing the inner housing and a movable portion telescoping over the stationary portion and adjoining the basket to make a selective cut in the separated liquids discharging through the basket, outlet means at each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus, liquid sealing means supported from the upper end of the basket extending in underlying relationship with an upper portion of the inner housing for preventing entry of discharge solution spray to the peripheral discharge passage, and means cooperating with said sealing means for directing solution spray downwardly to discharge through one of said outlet means.

4. In continuous centrifugal apparatus, inner and outer housings forming a chamber for receiving centrifuged sugar therebetween, and means interiorly of the inner housing for separating sugar crystals from associated liquid of viscous sugar solution fed thereto and for separating the separated solution into a plurality of grades, including two contigous rotary screens forming a frustoconical centrifuging surface for separating solution of the feed for sugar crystals by its discharge through the openings of the screens, an external skeletal support for the screens, the screens extending continuously from the top to the bottom of the sketetal support, clamping means securing said screens to the skeletal support at their top and bottom, thereby permitting relative movement between intermediate portions of said screens, the upper clamping means having a projecting surface overhanging and underlying a substantially horizontal surface of the inner housing and rotating in close proximity thereto for preventing escape of solution fog into the sugar-receiving chamber, and partitioning means interiorly of the inner housing converging at its upper end in close proximity to the exterior surface of the outermost screen intermedi ate its ends for separating and confining two flows of solution discharge from the screens.

5. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housing forming a chamber for centrifuged solids therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for solids-containg solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the solids-receiving chamber, the improvement comprising partitioning means within the inner housing, said partitioning means including a lower portion dividing the inner housing and an upper portion with inner and outer walls telescoping over said lower portion, said walls terminating together at their upper ends in close proximity to the exterior surface of the basket intermediate its ends, and outlet means at each side of the partitioning means for separate removal of the separated liquid fractions discharging from the basket.

6. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising partitioning means within the inner housing, said partitioning means including a lower portion dividing the inner housing and an upper portion with inner and outer walls telescoping over said lower portion, said walls terminating together at their upper ends in close proximity to the exterior surface of the centrifugal basket, means for moving said upper portion of the partition means so as to make a selective cut in the separated liquids discharging through the basket by relocation of the movable portion, and outlet means at each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus.

7. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner huosing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising partitioning means within the inner housing, said partitioning means including a lower portion dividing the inner housing, and an upper portion with inner and outer walls telescoping over said lower portion, said walls terminating together at their upper ends in close proximity to the exterior surface of the centrifuge basket, a drive mechanism having members acting on the partitioning means for relocating said upper portion so as to make a selective cut in the separated liquids discharging through the basket, and outlet means at each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus.

8. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising partitioning means within the inner housing, said partitioning means including a lower portion dividing the inner housing, and an upper portion with inner and outer walls telescoping over said lower portion, said walls terminating together at their upper ends in close proximity to the exterior surface of the centrifuge basket, a drive mechanism having members acting on the partitioning means for relocating said upper portion so as to make a selective cut in the separated liquids discharging through the basket, means exteriorly of the outer housing for actuating the drive mechanism member and thereby change said selective cut, and outlet means at each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus.

9. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising adjustable partitioning means within the inner housing constructed and arranged to make a selective cut in the separated liquids discharging through the basket, outlet means at each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus, moisture control means including a flange supported from the upper peripheral end of the basket for rotation therewith and having spaced upper, intermediate and lower extending portions, a stationary partition member between the partitioning means and the inner housing, the upper ends of the partition member and inner housing extending between the flange upper and lower extending portions with the upper end of the inner housing between said upper and intermediate portions and the upper end of the partition member between the intermediate and lower portion, and bathe means at the upper ends of the partition member and the partitioning means for directing moist material downwardly in the inner housing so as to prevent moist material in the inner housing from ascending into the peripheral discharge passage.

10. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising partitioning means within the inner housing, said partitioning means including a lower portion dividng the nner housing, and an upper portion with inner and outer walls telescoping over said lower portion, said wall terminating together at their upper ends in close proximity to the exterior surface of the centrifuge basket, a drive mechanism including screw assemblies spaced at about IZO-degree intervals and acting on the partitioning means for relocating said upper portion so as to make a selective cut in the separated liquids discharging through the basket, means exteriorly of the outer housing for simultaneously actuating said screw assemblies and thereby change said selective cut, and outlet means at each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus.

11. In a continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frustoconical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising partitioning means within the inner housing, said partitioning means including a lower portion dividing the inner housing and an upper portion with inner and outer walls telescoping over said lower portion, said walls terminating together at their upper ends in close proximity to the exterior surface of the centrifugal basket to make a selective cut in the separated liquids discharging through the basket, and outlet means at each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus with the liquid delivered to each outlet means varying with the position of said upper portion.

12. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings for forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement comprising at least one inwardly converging partitioning means within the inner housing constructed and arranged to make a selective cut of the separated liquids through the discharge basket, outlet means on each side of the partitioning means for separately conducting the separated liquid fractions from the apparatus, and elongated bafiies arranged in spaced circumferential association with said partitioning means and with the inner housing extending downwardly on said partitioning means for directing moist material downwardly in the inner housing for preventing moist material which collects in the inner housing from ascending to the peripheral discharge passage.

13. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged sugar therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation within the inner housing, an inlet for viscous sugar solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the sugar chamber, the improvement which comprises a base portion of the basket including a recessed upper surface, a detachable bowl portion nesting within the base recess, an external skeletal support extending upwardly from the base portion, two contiguous screens supported by the sketetal support forming the frusto surfaces of the basket, the screens extending continuously from the top to the bottom of the basket, the outermost screen being coarse mesh wire of stiff quality and the innermost screen being perforate and having only minute openings, the bottom of said screens being clamped between the abutting surfaces of the base and bowl portions and clamped at the top of the skeletal support thereby permitting relative movement between intermediate portions of said screens.

14. In continuous centrifugal apparatus having spaced inner and outer housings forming a chamber for centrifuged solids therebetween, a substantially frusto-conical centrifuge basket mounted for high speed rotation Within the inner housing, an inlet for solids-containing solution to be treated, and a peripheral discharge passage from the basket to the solids-receiving chamber, the improvement which comprises a base portion of the basket including a recessed upper surface, a detachable bowl portion nesting within the base recess, an external skeletal support extending upwardly from the base portion, two contiguous screens supported by the skeletal support forming the frusto surfaces of the basket, the screens extending continuously from the top to the bottom of the basket, the bottom of said screens being clamped between the abutting surfaces of the base and bowl portions and clamped at the top of the skeletal support thereby permitting relative movement between intermediate portions of said screens.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 242,110 5/1881 Carstaedt 210-378 X 328,190 10/1885 Cloudman 210-215 500,782 7/1893 Szczeniowski et al. 210-214 X 535,306 3/1895 Stewart 210-211 847,203 3/ 1907 Reist. 1,461,909 7/1923 Jandos 210-215 X 1,569,778 1/1926 Murphy 210-378 X 2,068,636 1/1937 Roberts 210-380 2,095,206 10/1937 Sharples 210-78 2,194,304 3/1940 Graham. 2,254,455 9/1941 Sorenson 210-215 2,296,945 9/1942 Olcott 210-378 2,315,980 4/1943 Olcott 210-380 2,335,794 11/1943 Sanchez 210-378 X 2,441,368 5/1948 Olcott 210-378 2,461,764 2/1949 Olcott 210- 2,704,157 3/1955 Hertich 210-145 2,883,054 4/1959 Sanchez 127-19 X 2,973,288 2/1961 Riedel 127-19 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,221,231 1/1960 France.

MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN CONTINUOUS CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS HAVING SPACED INNER AND OUTER HOUSINGS FORMING A CHAMBER FOR CENTRIFUGED SUGAR THEREBETWEEN, A SUBSTANTIALLY FRUSTO-CONICAL CENTRIFUGE BASKET MOUNTED FOR HIGH SPEED ROTATION WITHIN THE INNER HOUSING, AN INLET FOR VISCOUS SUGAR SOLUTION TO BE TREATED, AND A PERIPHERAL DISCHARGE PASSAGE FROM THE BASKET TO THE SUGAR CHAMBER, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING ADJUSTABLE PARTITIONING MEANS WITHIN THE INNER HOUSING, SAID PARTITIONING MEANS INCLUDING A LOWER PORTION DIVIDING THE INNER HOUSING AND AN UPPER PORTION WITH INNER AND OUTER WALLS TELESCOPING OVER SAID LOWER PORTION, SAID WALLS TERMINATING TOGETHER AT THEIR UPPER ENDS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE CENTRIFUGAL BASKET 